What is the Origin of Circulating Hormone Assays?

The origin lies in the development of sensitive immunoassays, like ELISA and mass spectrometry, which allow for precise quantification of analytes at picomolar concentrations. This technological advancement moved hormone measurement from imprecise bioassays to quantitative clinical tools. The term reflects the necessity of measuring hormones where they exert their systemic effects.

What is the Mechanism of Circulating Hormone Assays?

Assays operate by utilizing highly specific binding agents, such as antibodies or chromatographic separation coupled with mass detection, to isolate and measure the target molecule. Factors like diurnal variation, binding globulins, and assay sensitivity significantly influence the interpretation of the resulting data points. Clinical interpretation requires understanding the assay's methodology and the hormone's physiological context.

Circulating Hormone Assays ∞ Area

Circulating Hormone Assays

Meaning

Circulating Hormone Assays are laboratory techniques used to quantify the concentration of specific steroid or peptide hormones present in systemic circulation, such as serum or plasma. These measurements provide a snapshot of the current endocrine status, informing clinical assessment of hormonal balance or deficiency states. Accurate detection is foundational to endocrinological evaluation.